Techniques

Making Cooking and Baking Easy and Enjoyable

Okay, maybe bearable but definitely easier! Ever wonder “How do I do that?” I have, so over the years I have tested many ways of doing things in the kitchen and found some to be useful and others – well, not so useful. Some of my techniques are conventional and some unconventional, but this is what I have found to be easiest in my kitchen. I still don’t tie the legs of my poultry before putting it in the oven. Until the bird jumps out of the roaster and runs away, I won’t be doing any tying.

If there is one technique I could offer to the world to make cooking and baking easy – it is Mise en Place! Mise en Place is one of those fancy French words that basically means to have everything in place that can be prepped, measured and ready prior to cooking or baking. Therefore, you will not have to stop and measure each ingredient or go to your pantry or fridge and get it which will slow you down. Also, it will ensure that you have all the ingredients, prior to cooking or baking. Mise en place isn’t a great technique for everything, but for the most part I use it frequently, especially for a stir fry!